Connell faces traffic load from Hwy 26 detour

Traffic loads from the Highway 26 detour through Connell reportedly have not had a big impact for the first four weeks the detour has been in place. Connell, located on Highway 395 south of Highway 26, was put on the path for WSU traffic loads when the state closed Highway 26 to replace the deck on the bridge across the Burlington Northern Santa Fe railroad about four miles west of Highway 395.

The detour sends traffic south on Highway 17 west of Othello, then west on Highway 260 through Connell to Highway 395 and then north 10 miles to Highway 26.

This week the state Department of Transportat...